Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

Cognitive-behavioral approaches to alcohol and drug use disorders have received considerable empirical support over the past 20 years. One cognitive-behavioral treatment, relapse prevention, was initially designed as an adjunct to existing treatments.

It has also been extensively used as a stand-alone treatment and serves as the basis for several other cognitive and behavioral treatments. After a brief review of relapse prevention, as well as the hypothesized mechanisms of change in cognitive and behavioral treatments, we will describe a “new” approach to alcohol and drug problems called mindfulness-based relapse prevention.

Preliminary data in support of mindfulness-meditation as a treatment for addictive behavior are provided and directions for future research are discussed.

Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3805807/pdf/jcsm.9.11.1195.pdf